Biography for
Wayne Rogers (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

7 April 1933, Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Birth Name

William Wayne McMillan Rogers III

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m)

Mini Biography

Tough around the edges and with a handsome durability, Alabama-born Wayne Rogers had graduated from Princeton with a history degree in 1954 and joined the Navy before giving acting a thought. During his military service, however, he became associated with theater by happenstance and decided to give it a try after his discharge. He started things off by studying with renown actor Sanford Meisner and dancer Martha Graham at the Neighborhood Playhouse. He toiled for years in off-Broadway and regional plays ("Bus Stop", "No Time for Sergeants") and had a short stint on the daytime soap "The Edge of Night" (1956) before making a minor dent in films, including small roles in Odds Against Tomorrow (1959), The Glory Guys (1965) and Cool Hand Luke (1967). He also co-starred opposite Robert Bray in the short-lived TV western series "Stagecoach West" (1960), and co-produced and wrote the script for the cult sci-fi cheapie The Astro-Zombies (1968) in-between. It wasn't until 1972 when the 39-year-old Rogers nabbed the role of "Trapper John", a Korean War surgeon, in the classic comedy series "M*A*S*H" (1972) that he found the stardom that had eluded him for over a decade and a half. Alongside Alan Alda's "Hawkeye Pierce", the TV show was a huge hit and the two enjoyed equal success at the beginning. Slowly, however, Wayne's character started getting the short end of the stick as the wry, sardonic, highly appealing Alda became a resounding audience favorite. Frustrated at turning second-banana to Alda, he quit the series (his character was discharged) after three seasons amid a contractual dispute. Mike Farrell replaced him in the cohort role of "B.J. Hunnicut". TV movies came his way throughout the late 70s and a couple more comedy series, including "House Calls" (1979), in which Wayne received a Golden Globe nomination, but nothing would equal the success he found during the "M*A*S*H" (1972) years. Sporadic filming in Once in Paris... (1978), The Hot Touch (1981), The Gig (1985) and The Killing Time (1987) also failed to raise his amiable profile. In later years, Wayne found renewed respect as a businessman and investor, having managed the affairs of such stars as Peter Falk and James Caan, among others.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net

Spouse

Amy H. Rogers	(8 December 1988 - present)
Mitzi McWhorter	(1960 - 21 October 1983) (divorced) 2 children

Trivia

When he left "M*A*S*H" (1972), he was sued for breach of contract, but the case was thrown out because he had no contract. Producers wanted him to sign a morality clause, in which he could be suspended or fired at any time, and he refused because he wanted the same privilege regarding the producers.

Attended Ramsay High School in Birmingham, Alabama and is a graduate of the Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Graduated from Princeton University with a history degree in 1954, where he was a member of the Princeton Triangle Club and served in the U.S. Navy before becoming a actor.

Was the second actor to play the "M*A*S*H" character Trapper John McIntyre. The first one being Elliott Gould in the film MASH (1970) and the third one being Pernell Roberts on the TV series "Trapper John, M.D." (1979).

In addition to the disputes about contracts, he says he also left "M*A*S*H" (1972) because he felt the writers were not giving Trapper John any character development.

Described "M*A*S*H" (1972) co-star McLean Stevenson as being "one of the funniest men I had ever met", fondly recalling in an interview a day on the set where Stevenson had been goofing around with a fly swatter.

After leaving "M*A*S*H" (1972), he turned down the lead role in the TV series "Trapper John, M.D." (1979) because he did not want to be typecast as a doctor on television. Ironically, he accepted a part shortly thereafter for another TV show, "House Calls" (1979), in which he played a doctor.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California. [12/13/05]

Chairman of the Board and co-owner (with Ronnie Rothstein) of Kleinfeld Wedding Emporium.

Chairman and president of Wayne Rogers & Co.

He has homes in Los Angeles, California; Destin, Florida; and Deer Valley, Utah.

Personal Quotes

Somebody once told me I shouldn't try to change Hollywood. That isn't my point at all. I don't want Hollywood to change me.

[on leaving the TV series "M*A*S*H" (1972) in retrospect] If I had known that the show was gonna run that long, I probably would have kept my mouth shut and stayed put.

[discussing his contract dispute, after leaving "M*A*S*H" (1972)] They sue, you countersue. It's business.

On the pilot for "Stagecoach West" (1960): As soon as I saw it, I thought: "This is really bad" and caught the next plane back to New York.

Where Are They Now

(August 2003) Has been the managing director of the Stop-N-Save convenience food chains for almost 20 years.

(October 2003) Founder of investment strategist firm "Wayne Rogers & Co" and can be seen weekly on the Fox News program "Cashin' In" (2006).

(September 2005) In addition to his investment company Wayne Rogers & Co., he is one of three investors in the Kleinfeld bridal store in New York City and is planning on creating a chain of bridal stores with initial outlets in Chicago and Los Angeles.

(October 2008) Fox News network, appears as a live expert guest correspondent on Fox News programming; for example, "Hannity's America" (2007).

(December 2010) Los Angeles, California; Destin, Florida; and Deer Valley, Utah.